Should my mother have yelled at someone who couldn't speak English?

Question

Yesterday my mother was at Dunkin Donuts (coffee shop for those who don't live in New England). The man in front of her was trying to order a meal (a saugage egg and cheese sandwich) but he couldn't speak English. The woman working finally figured out what he wanted, but when he got it he said it was wrong, "no meat" as he said. That was what he ordered and even repeated it to the woman. My mother told him that, and told him that if he can't speak English than he shouldn't be living in this country. I agree, but it's not something I would say to someone. Do you think she was right in saying that to him?

Answer 1

No. It was rude. She wasn't hurting her.

I think everyone who stays here should learn English the official language. But I don't put a time limit on it.

Answer 2

Maybe he was a tourist. My dad didn't speak a good enough English to become a US Citizen until I was 9 and he tried very hard. I ended up with an accent until I took speech (about 8 years old). Some people say I still have a little bit of an accent. Remember that unless you are 100% native american, everyone was foreign when they first came to america. the vote was 7-6 English over German for the language of our constitution. Imagine what would have happened all the history if the vote went the other way.

Answer 3

How can someone order a food item in English if they can't understand or speak English, and expect the clerk to comprehend what they're asking for? Would you try to order in a French restaurant when you can't speak or understand French and expect to be understood?
I think your mother is just fed up with so many foreigners filling our country and that was her way of letting that particular one know about it. When will these foreigners realize that they are not wanted or welcomed here?

Answer 4

Dont you think most of the Europeans or anyone from any country automatically spoke english when they first came over? Technically the english language isn't the native language in this country anyway, it came from england. Back in the day the Native Americans who had this country first had thier own language. This country is full of all kinds of nationalities and people from other countries are coming in every day. I think it's ignorant for you to think that everyone should be speaking english.

Answer 5

Your mom was wrong. Maybe that man just got to the U.S. and that's why he hasn't learned English yet. Besides, that's the best way to learn a language, to go out and talk to common people, in common situations. At least that man wasn't embarassed to try to speak! I think your mom was mean. I've seen a lot of people from the U.S. in Mexico, trying to speak Spanish, nobody can understand them, but we don't mock them, we don't say anything mean. C'mon that man only wanted breakfast, and your mom probably depressed him byt telling him that.

By the way, I don't live in New England...but just FYI we have Dunkin Donuts in Mexico.

Answer 6

While in Germany.... I tried to learn the lingo and get along with the common folks. One Saturday morning a woman 50+ was rasing her voice to me when she notice it was taking me too long to make an order ( other than beer ) A younger German said somthing and when she wouldn't back down he told her in English to F off. She got the just of it that time.. 1 out of 10 did not mind the wait.. Yea, your mom was off the point. Then again I could have gone when it was a shorter line

Answer 7

If he couldn't speak English, did he understand what she said?

From a political standpoint, if he entered the country legally, there is nothing we can do but hope that he learns English.

From another standpoint---did your mother ever think that helping him choose what he wanted---a vegetarian breakfast sandwich---might have been a more polite response than berating him? People around the world think Americans are impolite and rude---how better to change their point of view than to do it one person at a time?

Answer 8

Since there is no law requiring you to speak English to live in this country, your mom is clearly in the wrong. Actually, people who take it upon themselves to yell at strangers are always in the wrong, but that's a whole other kettle of fish.

As a tourist abroad, I've had many an occasion where I've had trouble getting what I wanted due to trouble with the native tongue. And guess what, no one felt the need to scream at me about being in their country without speaking the language.

You should be embarrassed, and your mom should be ashamed of herself.

Answer 9

In my personal opinion, I don't agree with xenophobia, racism, discrimination, prejudice, etc...(the list goes on). Hatred only produces more hatred...The man could not speak English, what would you have done in his position if you needed a meal and could not speak English for any reason? Do we know why he couldn't speak English? How do we know the reasons? Get the broad picture? The man probably did not understand what your mom yelled at him, but corporal expressions say more than words can say...Put yourself in that man's position and think it over once again.

Answer 10

OH my!If we follow your mother's wise and accurate advice, then people should not even think of having holidays in a country which has a different language than their own!
I think your mother should have been more civilized and not yelled, because people who have no manners at all should not be living in this world.

Answer 11

Heck, don't see the point in yelling at someone because they can't speak the language ... I mean, your mom couldn't possibly know if the fellow was a tourist ... who was here on a 3 week holiday .... you can't assume that everyone who doesn't speak English actually LIVES here ...